Building Character on the Inside
A Family Activity
Character is what you really are. It's not how you look. It's who you
are on the inside. It's how you act when no one is looking. Help your
child develop good character by making a habit of good behavior.
Select a chart we've provided for the Six Pillars of Character. Make four
or five copies of the chart you choose, and use one each week. Put the
chart on your refrigerator. Talk to your child about the behaviors related
to the chosen Pillar of Character. Watch for them every day. When you
see your child using one of the behaviors, put a check mark in the space
on the chart. Praise your child with every mark on the chart. Celebrate
every 10th or 20th mark with a family hug, family game, ice cream or the
child's favorite meal.
Focus on the same Pillar of Character for four full weeks to build habits
of good behavior related to that Pillar. Be just as enthusiastic about
the child's chart marks the last week as you were in the first. Select
another Pillar chart for the next month. Continue until you've used all
six charts for a full month each!
Trustworthiness:
Tell the truth even when it is hard to do.
Give people the information they need for a smart decision.
Keep a promise, even when it is hard to do.
Be yourself; don’t pretend to be something you are not.
Watch out for the best interests of your family, school and community.
Respect:
Be polite and courteous to all.
Work out difference in a non-violent way.
Remember that other people can choose to do things differently than you
would.
Let others “save face” (don’t humiliate).
Let people have their privacy.
Responsibility:
Be prepared for class of jobs.
Control your temper.
Clean up you own mess!
Do you part. Do your best.
Finish the job, even when it’s hard.
Fairness:
Go by the rules.
Listen to others’ ideas.
Wait your turn.
Only used what you need.
Give everyone a chance.
Caring:
Be Kind.
Do thinks to help people (classmates, teachers, parents and others).
Share.
Think of others, not just yourself.
Smile at someone.
Citizenship:
Follow the rules.
Help your school.
Help your community be better.
Help make your class even better.
Recycle.
